Conflicting statements stall Shepherd stabbing probe

Conflicting witness statements and sketchy details have Shepherd police stalled in investigating the minor stabbing of a man who tried breaking up a squabble on the midway Friday of the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival.

A spat between groups of teenagers or young adults sparked the incident on the midway just before 10 p.m.

“Sounds like it was over a juvenile staring in the direction of another group for too long, and then it escalated from there,” said Shepherd Police Chief Michael Main.

Police are calling the incident a simple assault.

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Although the initial confrontation began up to an hour earlier, it escalated over time as the group that would eventually attack – growing more agitated at the youngster who had stared too long – grew in size.

As the larger group began to attack the would-be victim, an adult relative was stabbed as he tried to break up the dispute.

Main said the victim was treated by ambulance and rescue staff on the scene for superficial knife wounds to the back of his head, but did not seek further medical treatment.

“We have a possible suspect, however (we) have some conflicting witness reports now,” Main said.

The Shepherd Police Department was assisted on scene by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, Mobile Medical Response and Shepherd Tri Township Fire Department.

Rick Mills is the editor of the Morning Sun. He may be reached at 989-779-6003, rmills@michigannewspapers.com or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rick.mills.399?fref=ts.